Boxing at Foxwoods and on ShoBox: The New Generation May 6

NEW YORK (April 20, 2005) – Four undefeated fighters will put their perfect records on the line when “ShoBox: The New Generation” returns to Connecticut on Friday, May, 6, 2005. The main event will feature “ShoBox” veteran Sechew Powell against Cornelius Bundrage in a 10-round middleweight showdown. In the co-feature from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, junior middleweights Yuri Foreman and Kevin Cagle will square off in an eight-rounder.

Showtime will televise the DiBella Entertainment doubleheader at 11 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on the west coast). The telecast represents the 61st in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted in July 2001.

Powell (15-0 9 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, is a four-time amateur champion who many experts believe has the talent, attitude and dedication to become a future world champion.

“It is nice to get noticed,’’ the southpaw boxer-puncher said. “I am satisfied with my progress and feel good with where I am, but there is still so much more to learn.”

The pride of Brooklyn got floored and was nearly knocked out in the fifth round of his “ShoBox” debut on June 17, 2004, against Grady Brewer. Powell managed to survive the round and triumph by the scores 76-75, 76-75 and 75-76.

In his second appearance on “ShoBox,” on January 21, 2005, Powell looked sharp and landed combinations at will against the overmatched Patrick Thompson. In the sixth round, Powell staggered his opponent with an uppercut that nearly ended the fight. When it was all over after eight, Powell registered a unanimous decision with scores of 80-71, 80-72 and 79-73.

In his pro debut, Powell registered a second-round TKO over Aundalen Sloan on Aug. 17, 2002, in Atlantic City, N.J.  Powell dominated by utilizing a stiff jab and quick, hard combinations. Late in the first round, after a hard left hand sent Sloan stumbling to the ropes, Powell dazzled the crowd with an eight-punch combination. Late in the second, he continued the onslaught by landing a six-punch combination that staggered Sloan. The referee halted the bout moments later.

Bundrage (21-0 13 KOs), of Detroit, captured the United Boxing Association (UBA) Intercontinental light middleweight title on February 18, 2005, by scoring a TKO at 1:27 of the second round over Jonathan Corn.

Undefeated through 21 fights, Bundrage has scored knockouts in his last five fights heading into his “ShoBox” debut.

“I feel strong in the ring right now,” Bundrage said. “I am moving well, seeing my target and hitting.  No disrespect to Powell, but May 6 is going to be a short night.”

Bundrage made his pro debut on September 15, 1995 and won a four-round decision over Shawn Purdy in Detroit.

Foreman (17-0 7 KOs), also from Brooklyn, but by way of Russia, has to be successful in the ring to support himself outside of it.

“On my second day in the United States I was working,” Foreman said. “It was difficult because you have to work and you have to train. I worked in Manhattan, cleaning, carrying and delivering from morning until evening. Then it was straight to Gleason’s Gym for training. Sometimes when I went to the gym, I was dead already.”

Foreman made his pro debut on January 24, 2002, and recorded a first round knockout over Israel Felix in Manhattan.  After one more fight, Foreman gave up his day job and dedicated himself solely to the sweet science.

“Finally, I could run in the morning instead of the evening,” Foreman said. “I could rest all day, then go to the gym and give 110 percent.”

Cagle (16-0 12 KOs), of Albermorle, North Caroline, scored a first round TKO over Gary Kirby in his pro debut on September 6, 2003, from Greensboro. After knocking out his initial seven opponents, Cagle won the Carolina Boxing Association (CBA) 154-pound crown with a second round KO over Travis Clybourn.

Most recently, Cagle scored an opening-round knockout over Shannon Freeman on March 5, 2005.

For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.